Bag attachment



p 1942- c. LARSON BAG ATTACHMENT Filed Dec. 19, 1940 .[Rde 257 @az/es a/"$010 Patented Sept. 15, 1942 UNITED STATES lATENT OFFICE BAG ATTACHMENT Charles Larson, Chicago, Ill. Application December 19, 1940, Serial No. 370,908

6 Claims.

My invention relates to bags or sacks, and more particularly to means for holding the mouth or rim of a bag or sack open when it is to be filled, and my main object is to provide a device which creates a definite and spacious opening for. the

purpose.

A further object of the invention is to design the improvement in the manner of an attachment which fits inside the mouth of the bag.

A still further object of the invention is to constitute the same as a metallic band which is adjustable to fill the mouthof the bag and create a maximum opening therein.

Another object of the invention is to lend the band a formation whereby it is adjustable positively and by definite steps, whereby to retain its position at any size to which it has been adjusted.

An additional object of the invention is to construct the novel band in a manner to take a firm hold on the material of the bag, yet inflict no injury thereon.

An important object of the invention is to construct the same along lines of simplicity, efficiency and durability.

With the above objects in view and any others which may suggest themselves from the description to follow, a better understanding of the invention may be had by reference to the accompanying drawing, in which- Fig. 1 is an elevation of a typical bag, showing the position of the band therein;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of Fig. 1 on a magnified scale;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of a fragment of the band, showing its application to the wall of the bag; and

Figs. 4 and 5 are, respectively, sections on the lines 4-4 and 55 of Fig, 2.

In contemplating the use of a steel band inside the mouth of a bag, one requisite is that the band shall fit or fill such mouth to a maximum extent, in order that the largest possible opening into the bag may be formed. Accordingly, the steel band indicated in the drawing at ID has been designed with its ends overlapping considerably, to make the band amply adjustable in expanding and contracting directions. Also, the band is pressed or stamped in a manner to have an outward or unwinding tension. Thus, the tendency of the band will be to expand and fill the mouth of the bag, as previously mentioned.

Fig. 4 shows more particularly how the overlapping sections of the band appear, and it is noted that the band also has a transverse curvature to render its exterior crowned, this form imparting a tendency for the band to fill the mouth of the bag more completely and more easily, and to augment the expansive tendency of the band.

Since the .band is longitudinally adjustable, the steps in the adjustment are defined by a longitudinal series of projections l l, which are pressed outwardly along a medial course and are in the form of square or diamond-based pyramids. Thus, Fig. 4 shows more clearly that the projections of the overlapped portions of the band may be nested at any point to which the band is adjusted, so that the adjustment is rendered definite.

In order that the outer overlapping section of the band may lie close to the inner one and preserve the adjusted relation of the sections, a clip I2 is pivoted at its base to such outer section, as indicated at l3. The clip is adapted to be swung down from the dotted-line position of Fig. 5 to the full-line one, whereby to engage the band sections in the doubled relation indicated in Fig. 4. The clip has a flange Hat on its inner side for purposes of manipulation.

When the band has been fitted into the mouth of the bag as indicated in Fig. 2, with the adjustment set as just described, it is necessary to lock the sections of the band in the adjusted position in order that they may not slip or depart from such position. Accordingly, I provide a buckle I4 on the inner side of the band for this purpose, linking the loop l5 of the buckle to the end of the outer overlapping section of the band. It is understood that the inner overlapping section passes through the loop l5. The buckle has the usual spur or tongue 16 engaging the inner side of the inner overlapping section when the buckle is locked, as indicated by full lines in Fig. 2. When it is desired to release the buckle, the same is drawn toward the center of the bag to disengage the spur I5, as indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 2.

One advantage of the novel attachment is its easy manipulation. Thus, it is usually kept more or less contracted in order not to take up much space. However, if it is desired to expand it to fit into a given bag, it is only necessary to open the buckle as previously described and draw back on the buckle. This action is assisted by the inherent tendency of the band to expand, so that the band is quickly fitted to its maximum extent in the mouth of the bag. Since no fasteners or sharp elements are employed to hold the bag to the band, the latter cannot become strained or torn from repeated handling. In fact, Fig. 3 shows that the wall or mouth of the bag is given a uniform undulating course in the Zone where it receives the band, protecting the fabric from injury. The hold procured by the band on the bag does not yield as the bag is subjected to the pressure of the material within it; in fact, such pressure only operates to press the projections ll of the band more deeply into the undulations of the bag, whereby to make a tighter fit of the band with the same. It may be mentioned that the handling of the band for purposes of adjustment is made easy by the form of the projections H, as the band sections may be slid over each other without difficulty. However, the action of the buckle gives the projections positive locking values; and the clip l2 not only adds to the locking of the band, but

also keeps the surplus portion of the outer section close to the curve of the band. Altogether, a band of the type described forms a simple appliance which can be compactly rolled up to occupy a very small space when not in use. Yet, when applied as an attachment, the band is of a neat, efficient and durable character.

While I have described the invention along specific lines, various minor changes and refinements may be without departing from its principle, and I desire to consider all such changes and refinements as coming within the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An attachment to hold the mouth of a bag open comprising a band placeable within such mouth, the exterior of the band being crowned in cross-section to impress the bag material retentively.

2. An attachment to hold the mouth of a bag open comprising a sheet material band placeable within such mouth, the band having a concavo-convex crosssection to impress the bag material retentively.

3. An attachment to hold the mouth of a bag open comprising a band placeab-le within such mouth, the band having overlapping end portions to be adjustable by contraction or expansion, the band being of sheet material, and a longitudinal series of equally-spaced pyramidal projections formed in the band, the projections in the overlapping portion nesting according to steps in the adjustment of the band to make such adjustment positive.

4. The structure of claim 3, and means to hold the outer overlapping portion to the curve of the band.

5. The structure of claim 3, and means to hold the outer overlapping portion to the curve of the band, such means comprising a clip pivoted from one of said portions to mount over the doubled portions at a point near the end of the outer portion.

6. An attachment to hold the mouth of a bag open comprising a band placeable within such mouth, the band having overlapping end portions to be adjustable by contraction or expansion, the band being of sheet material, and a longitudinal series of equally-spaced pyramidal projections formed in the band, the projections in the overlapping portion nesting according to steps in the adjustment of the band to make such adjustment positive, and means to clamp the overlapping portions together in the adjusted position, such means comprising a buckle with an operating lever, the latter lying close to the inner side of the band when the buckle is made fast, and the lever being swingable inwardly o! the band when releasing the buckle.

CHARLES LARSON. 

